Palace Malice to Belmont’s Westchester

Dogwood Stable’s Palace Malice has a mid-season major objective of the Metropolitan Mile on June 7, using the May 11, $150,000 Grade III Westchester Stakes at a flat mile at Belmont as a prep, it was announced by Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president.

“Todd and I discussed other early May races for the horse, but it is logical that if we wish to run in the Met Mile – an enticing target for a purse of $1,250,000 and stallion prestige – the logical thing is to run precisely the same distance on the same racetrack. Should we find that it is not his cup of tea, we can adjust our June 7 plans and look at the longer Brooklyn Handicap,” Campbell said.

“The horse is thriving in Florida with Todd. He plans to breeze this Sunday for the first time following his win in the New Orleans Handicap, and tentatively will ship to New York in the middle of the month. John Velazquez won an impressive mile race at Gulfstream on him, and we are delighted that he has given a commitment to ride in the upcoming races. Both he and Mike Smith fit him beautifully.” Campbell said.

Palace Malice now has a record of 14 starts and five wins, with total earnings of $1,871,135. His Beyer rating in his most recent race was 114.